The Hoosiers signed 25 players, six of whom were JUCO transfers; all of the JUCOs will play this year.

Last season, Kevin Wilson played 16 of his true freshmen. This year, with so many returning starters, Wilson is likely to have more redshirts.

Among the true freshmen who could see immediate playing time are offensive linemen Dan Feeney and Dimitric Camiel. While offensive line is the position a freshman needs the most time to work his way into, both Feeney and Camiel are already at playing weight, tipping the scales at more than 300 pounds each.

Both could work their way onto the depth chart, given that IU doesn't have any established linemen after the top five.

Indianapolis' Jordan Wallace also could grab playing time as a linebacker. He committed to IU over Pitt, Illinois and a number of MAC schools. The Hoosiers' starting three are probably set, but everything is up in the air after that.

Roberson doesn't have to be Robert Griffin III, but he does need to play beyond his years.

Consistent wins in the field position game via turnovers and special teams.

Worst-Case Scenario: 2-10

In order for this to happen:

The Hoosiers offensive line and potentially the quarterback would have to be decimated by injuries.

The defense only nominally improves.

Indiana moves the ball, but turns it over far too often.

The Season Will Be a Success If...

...IU wins five games, at least one of which at the hands of a fellow Big Ten team. It would be icing on the cake if that team was Purdue.

Indiana will win:

Less than threeThree games Four gamesFive gamesSix gamesMore than sixSubmit Votevote to see results

Indiana will win:

Less than three

10.9%

Three games

12.1%

Four games

29.3%

Five games

17.8%

Six games

19.5%

More than six

10.3%

Total votes: 174

My Prediction

The IU defense noticeably will improve. In fact, statistically, the Hoosiers could wind up as the most improved defense in the conference, giving up 5-6 fewer points per game than in 2011.

However, that will still leave them as the worst scoring defense in the Big Ten.

The offense also will improve, which will leave the Hoosiers as a more competitive team than last year. As mentioned above, field position and turnovers will be the difference, and I feel that with a young quarterback, they will come out on the losing end of that equation far too often.

I have the Hoosiers going 3-9, with all three wins coming out of conference. However, they will put a scare into Iowa and Purdue.